AI Unveils New Path for Unlocking Hidden Research Data

Significant advancements in artificial intelligence are paving the way for enhanced accessibility to vast amounts of scientific data previously trapped in laboratories or lost over time. Recent estimates suggest that out of every 100 datasets generated, around 80 remain unused, 20 are shared but seldom reused, and fewer than two meet the standards of shared research. Only one dataset typically leads to new findings. Researchers aim to change this concerning trend with the introduction of the FAIR2 Data Management system.

Transforming Data Management

Developed by the open-science publisher Frontiers, FAIR2 is described as a comprehensive, AI-powered research data service. Its objective is to make datasets not only reusable but also properly credited by integrating all essential processes—curation, compliance checks, AI-ready formatting, peer review, certification, and permanent hosting—into a unified platform. This innovative approach aims to ensure that current investments in research yield faster advancements in health, sustainability, and technology.

The FAIR2 system builds on the FAIR principles—Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable—expanding these concepts into a robust framework that guarantees every dataset is compatible and ethically reusable by both humans and machines. These principles were initially articulated in a March 2016 paper published in the journal Scientific Data, endorsed by G20 leaders at the 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit as a means to enhance research efficacy.

FAIR2 represents the first concrete implementation of these principles, arriving at a crucial moment as research outputs soar and AI reshapes discovery processes. This system seeks to convert high-level principles into real, scalable infrastructure that offers measurable impacts in the scientific community.

Addressing Scientific Challenges

The implementation of FAIR2 aims to tackle several obstacles currently hindering scientific progress, such as delays in cancer treatment advancements, inadequately supported climate models, and challenges in replicating studies. Tasks that once took months—organising and verifying datasets, generating metadata, and preparing publishable outputs—can now be accomplished in minutes by the AI Data Steward, a creation of Senscience, the Frontiers venture behind FAIR2.

Researchers submitting their data receive four integrated outputs: a certified Data Package, a peer-reviewed and citable Data Article, an Interactive Data Portal featuring visualisations and AI chat, and a FAIR2 Certificate. Each output incorporates quality controls and clear summaries, making the data more comprehensible to general users and enhancing compatibility across various research disciplines.

One illustrative example of FAIR2’s capabilities is the dataset titled “Environmental Pressure Indicators (1990-2050).” This comprehensive collection merges observed data and model forecasts across 43 countries over six decades, tracking emissions, waste, population, and GDP. It serves as a foundation for sustainability benchmarking and informed climate policy planning.

FAIR2 also strives to improve visibility and accessibility, promoting responsible reuse among scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and even AI systems. This initiative allows society to derive greater value from its investment in scientific research.

The global scientific community has reacted positively to FAIR2’s deployment. Dr. Ángel Borja, Principal Researcher at AZTI and a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), stated, “I highly recommend using this kind of data curation and publication of articles, because you can generate information very quickly and it’s useful formatting for any end users.”

As AI continues to reshape the landscape of research, the FAIR2 Data Management system emerges as a vital tool in unlocking the potential of previously underutilised scientific data, ensuring it is preserved, validated, citable, and reusable. This innovation not only accelerates discovery but also ensures that researchers receive the recognition they deserve for their contributions to advancing knowledge.